However a technical hitch meant only three of the torchbearers were able to light the flame after one of the ice columns failed to appear.

BBC: Winter Olympics start despite luge tragedy

But what will happen after the Olympic Flame leaves town?

BBC: Touring the cities of Olympics past

The team in Northern Ireland had the best weather conditions and the shortest journey and after putting their flame in a miner's lantern, they were expected to be back at base at around 11:30 BST.

BBC: London 2012: Four Paralympic flames kindled around the UK

And with the Olympic flame extinguished soon after the lamps of 400 women dressed in flowing white robes had faded to black as Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sang, the countdown to Vancouver's two weeks of glory had officially begun.

CNN: 'Magnificent' Games sent off in style

Callum, a two-time Optimist UK national champion, ran around the Olympic Stadium track along with the other teenagers after being passed the flame by Sir Steve Redgrave.

BBC: South Scotland

They are, after all, the true keepers of the flame.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

After dark, houses not connected to the electricity grid rely mainly on open-flame kerosene lamps for light.

CNN: 'Solar sisters' spreading light in Africa

In the weeks after September 11, firefighters promised her that Chowdhury died from smoke inhalation before ever feeling a flame.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS